Akaroa

In the car...fairly wet!

Outside a local gem shop called "Fire and Ice".

A winter wonderland to drive through on our way home to ChCh!

Driving through the mountains on our way to Akaroa...spectacular view!

Posing for pictures at the Little River Gallery and Cafe (rest stop).

The infamous "engagement" picture, as Mallary refers to it. We weren't trying to look betrothed, but it somehow turned out that way.

Good thing we had our rain jackets! 

Taking refuge underneath a palm tree.

Akaroa is located about 1-1.5 hours east of Christchurch on the Banks Peninsula. I literally experienced 4 seasons in one day (something that ChCh is well-known for).  When we left in the morning the weather was beautifully mild and I didn't even need a jacket. As we reached Akaroa, the weather became more and more grey, windy, cold, and rainy.  By the time we left, it was pouring and my clothes were soaked through! Just our luck, it began SNOWING! I couldn't believe it. Although our view was "muddled" (a common kiwi word), we had so much fun singing in the car and running from shop to shop in the freezing rain!